Stacy Puckett, a board member of Goochland Pet Lovers, updated the Board of Supervisors on the organization’s Good Neighbor Outreach Fund and service offerings.

Puckett said Goochland Pet Lovers began in 2016 as a public‑private partnership and raised private donations plus county support to open a shelter in 2020. The Good Neighbor Outreach Fund launched in February 2021 to help low‑income residents keep pets by covering routine and some acute veterinary care, microchipping, county licensing and scheduling spay/neuter appointments. Services run on a need‑based qualification: residents at or below 200% of the federal poverty level are eligible; many referrals come from social services and local nonprofits.

Program scale and services reported by Puckett through August:
- 168 clients served since program start, 306 individual animals helped.
- 150 spay/neuter procedures scheduled and paid for.
- 260 cans and 2,500 pounds of dry food provided in the last two years.
- Through August: 188 pets in program, 178 appointments, 19 new families, 29 new pets, 157 exams, 168 vaccinations, 22 microchips, 122 tri‑heart (6‑dose) heartworm packets distributed.

Puckett described monthly clinics held on the second Saturday using a county‑approved mobile clinic at the animal shelter; clinics are staffed by volunteers and local veterinarians. She said the program prevents animals from entering the shelter by enabling owners to afford basic care and called the fund “very satisfying” for volunteers and donors.

Why it matters: the outreach program is explicitly designed to reduce shelter intake by supporting pet owners who lack resources for routine care; trustees and board members said it preserves the human‑animal bond for vulnerable households.

Ending: Goochland Pet Lovers will continue monthly clinics and community outreach; the board highlighted an upcoming celebration on Sept. 26 and called the program an important part of county animal welfare work.